Ask Engadget: best sub-$1000 Ultrabook?

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Meredith, who needs a new Ultrabook so she can go to law school. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I'm going to law school and I'll need a new laptop. Since I'll be commuting with a long train ride each way, I'm looking for a sub-$1000 device with Windows, a long battery life, SSD and it has to be lightweight. I don't need anything too powerful as I'm not doing any gaming, but something that'll work reliably for the next three years would be ideal for lecturers, web browsing and word processing. Is there a bargain to be had now, or should I wait for back-to-school Ultrabooks to come out? Thanks!"

In your humble narrator's position, waiting a few months for a Haswell device, which promises significantly increased battery life might be a wise choice. However, if you're not too fussed about a touchscreen device, then our laptop expert feels that Samsung's Series 9 might be the way forward. Of course, this isn't just a private enquiry, so let's share this out with the wider community and see what they can come up with. It's Ask Engadget, folks, you know the drill.